WInterizing & De-Winterizing Pipes
Frozen Pipes Need to Take a Hike!
Do you feel that frigid winter air? Well, your home’s pipes are affected by it, too. Plus, they are not as resilient as you might think. In fact, pipes that are exposed to the extreme cold can freeze. If this happens, you will come face to face with the potential for serious property damage. Luckily, you can bring your frozen pipe worries in from the cold by turning to Sal Manzo's team. Our team will insulate your pipes for their protection—and yours. We will also show you how to best winterize your pipes and some other areas of your home to avoid disaster.
Snowbirds, a Word or Two… Before You Escape to the Tropics…
The Sal Manzo Team can winterize your home, helping to prevent major damage from occurring during your absence. We have experienced many homeowners who come home from a beautiful vacation, or a long winter hiatus, to find the pipes in the home had frozen and burst while away. This is preventable, call the Team at Sal Manzo Plumbing, Heating & Cooling and allow our wisdom and experience to save you from unwanted chaos.
From Flowing Water to Frigid Ice
Because the outside temperature frequently falls below water’s freezing point, frozen pipes are a big concern for homeowners in the winter.
A frozen pipe can prevent you from having access to running water in your home, which is a major inconvenience. But, more importantly, it can cause major damage to your property. That is because water has the unique property of expanding as it freezes. So, when the water inside of your pipes expands, your pipes are under tremendous pressure, which can build up to the point that it causes the pipes to burst.
There are some pipes that are more vulnerable to freezing than others, they include:
- Pipes exposed to severe cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and water sprinkler lines.
- Water supply pipes in an unheated interior area, such as a basement, crawl space, attic, garage, or kitchen cabinets and closets.
- Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation
- Hot water pipes freeze first over cold water pipes
As you can see, it is crucial you keep your pipes bundled up. Well, our team at Sal Manzo Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help by insulating your water pipes. But there are things you need to do, too!
Fall Is Here!
Proper preparation prevents inferior performance. It helps you avoid frozen pipes, too. Here is how you can protect your pipes for the onset of colder weather before it arrives:
- Disconnect your water hose from the outdoor spigot. Then, cover the spigot with a Styrofoam insulation cover. If you leave your water hose connected, it can freeze, expand, and cause any indoor pipes that are connected to it to burst.
- Shut off the water valves for outdoor spigots—if you have them—and drain water from your outdoor water lines.
- Check outdoor faucets for drips and leaks. Address any repairs immediately.
- Contact our team to insulate both your hot and cold-water pipes. Remember this is essential for pipes in an unheated area of your home
Winter Has Arrived! What To Do Now?
You have prepared your pipes for the colder weather, but now it has arrived. Here is what you can do to keep your pipes warm and your worries on ice:
- Do not let water sit in your pipes. Instead, try to frequently run water through each of your home’s faucets, even if it is just at a trickle. Keeping water moving through your pipes can prevent it from freezing.
- Leave the heat on in your home and set it to no lower than 55 degrees.
- Do NOT drop the heat temperature if it is below freezing outside, as this will cause the water in the heating pipes to become stagnant and freeze.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around your pipes.
- Open closet doors to allow heat into your closets as well.
- Keep your garage door closed if there are water supply lines in your garage. This will help your home stay warmer, too.
Break That Ice, Contact Us Today!
If you notice frost on your pipes, or no water coming out of your faucet, then there is a good chance it is because of a frozen pipe.
Follow these steps immediately & call Sal Manzo Plumbing, Heating & Cooling:
- Turn off water at the shutoff valve for the pipes in that area.
- Leave the faucet on to relieve pressure as the pipes thaw.
- Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate
What To Do If You Have Frozen Pipe Issues?
At Sal Manzo Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we provide protection for your home and your budget. Call the Sal Manzo Team today, and we will be on our way.
